Tell us who are the best in the West

We need you to tell us about the shining stars lighting up an area from the Merchant City to Drumchapel in the latest stage of our Glasgow Community Champion Awards.

The third season of the awards campaign has split the city into just five areas and we're looking to find proof that the West is indeed best for the fourth of five stages in the campaign.

The aim of the awards is to turn the spotlight onto unsung heroes who are making an indelible mark on their neighbourhoods, without whom Glasgow would be a poorer place.

It could be a team or individual who cares for others, campaigns for better services, strives to improve the environment or has raised significant amounts for charity.

Nominees hailing from the Public Service categories could be inspirational teachers, brilliant janitors, popular posties, dedicated health professionals or cleansing staff who go that extra mile.

We're looking for examples of dedicated individuals and teams living or working in City Centre, Merchant City, Yorkhill, Anderston, Hillhead, Woodlands, Broomhill, Partick, Hyndland, Dowanhill, Anniesland, Jordanhill, Whiteinch, Yoker, Scotstoun, Knightswood, Temple, Blairdardie and Drumchapel.

So don't delay, tell us about your West and Central stars today by nominating via our website or calling us for an entry form. All entries must reach us by Friday, July 22.

The success of the campaign, which has received cross-party support in the Scottish Parliament, relies on the backing of readers to tell us about the people making their communities champion.

There are two new categories for 2011 – a Health and Wellbeing award on the back of our hugely-successful Glas-goals campaign, and the Young category will now recognise both a Team and Individual winner.

You can nominate as many individuals or teams as you like. What's more, all previous nominees, finalists and winners in the Glasgow Community Champion Awards are encouraged to get involved again this year by nominating themselves or their local heroes.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday, August 18.

It's a chance to meet representatives from the award partners, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, Strathclyde Police and Glasgow Housing Association, and suggest improvements for the future.

Previous events in the West and Central areas have been brimming with colour and enthusiasm.

The brown blazers of Notre Dame High School were out in force at last year's Central and West ceremony at the Pitt Street headquarters of Strathclyde Police.

Pupil Eva Bland edged the Young award over her peers from the school's S5 Fundraising Group for her voluntary work in soup kitchens and at a hospice.

The Central and West ceremony in 2009 saw Glasgow Old People's Welfare Association's Sheena Glass pick up the Public Service Team award.

Sadly her brother Donald Urquhart, who was a finalist in the Individual category, passed away a few months after the ceremony took place.

It was a very sporty shortlist for last season's West awards ceremony held at Drumchapel Community Centre.

Former Scotland internationalist Andy McLaren, a key figure in Team winner West End Diversionary Programme, attended alongside more than a dozen members of Team runners-up The Argo Boxing Club, plus Yoker Primary and Thirlestane Nursery's fundraising boxing janitor Allan Hamilton, and Senior finalist, community tennis enthusiast Eric Flack.

Yet the West and Central area has a high standard to live up to in 2011 after the bar has been raised even higher in the East, North and South East of Glasgow award ceremonies.

Hundreds of people leapt to their feet to honour centenarian volunteer Margaret Miller at the Winter Gardens of the People's Palace at the first event of the year in January.

There was a red-hot atmosphere as another eight glass trophies were handed out at Maryhill Community Fire Station in March.

And more than 250 people turned out to cheer on the champs of the South East at the St Francis Centre in the Gorbals earlier this month.

After the West and Central event in October, there's only one further regional awards in the South West, before the Grand Final in December, when the overall winners will be named.

Why not recognise your West and Central heroes by filling in an entry form today?

CASE STUDY: MICHAEL DALE

When events impresario Michael Dale first suggested the idea of a dedicated festival for Glasgow's West End, more than 150 interested locals turned up to voice their support.

After beginning life in 1996 with a 16-page programme with just 50 events, the West End Festival has now blossomed and has a 116-page tome featuring 600 events in 80 venues across three weeks.

Mr Dale believes the key to the success of the annual summer festival, which starts again for a 16th time next Friday, lies in its community involvement.

He said: "I knew that the West End was the place to do it. It's a village. I knew it would be a success in that there's already a community feel about it.

"It's about who we are and what we do. It's as much about music, food and drink as it is about opera and ballet."

Tens of thousands of festival-goers flock to the programme's centrepiece, Festival Sunday, a Mardi Gras-style carnival procession taking place in Kelvingrove Park on Sunday, June 5.

The programme also includes music by singer-songwriter Tommy Reilly, more than 30 talks and 29 walks of local interest, and outdoor cinema in Kelvingrove Park.

Mr Dale was a director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 1981 until 1986, and also directed and administered events for the Glasgow Garden Festival.

He added: "An arts festival is a focal point in the year.

"You can find out about other organisations and you can take part in events like the Parade or the Gibson Street Gala.

"I think it does foster a sense of community. I believe that we need more of these events, not less."

THE CATEGORIES

TEAM AWARD

A local team or volunteer group who make a difference to their community by improving amenities or raising the quality of life.

INDIVIDUAL AWARD

Someone aged 18-60 who, by giving up their free time, has made a significant contribution to other people's lives or to their community.

PUBLIC SERVICES TEAM AWARD

A public service team who demonstrate an outstanding contribution to help those in the community in which they work.

PUBLIC SERVICES INDIVIDUAL AWARD

Someone working for a public service within a local community who goes out of their way to help and support others.

SENIOR COMMUNITY CHAMPION

A local hero or team from the 60 and over age group who, after many years of hard work, continues to devote much of their time to helping other individuals or groups in their community.

YOUNG COMMUNITY CHAMPION TEAM

This will reward a group of young people, aged 17 and under, who have made a difference to their community or have inspired others through their achievements.

YOUNG COMMUNITY CHAMPION INDIVIDUAL

A young person aged 17 or under who, through their achievements, may have inspired others or made improvements to their community.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING AWARD

The city and thousands of its residents have been energised by the Evening Times successful Glas-goals campaign. This award has been created to recognise groups or projects which promote the improvement of health and well-being within their communities.

HOW TO NOMINATE...

Nomination forms are available from Victoria Scott at 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow, G2 3QB or on 0141 302 7319 or email victoria.scott@heraldandtimes.co.uk, or to nominate online go to: www.eveningtimes.co.uk/go/community-champions